DIY To The Rescue Features The Detroit Tigers

April 08, 2007 12:02 AM by Joe Blackmon

The seventh season premiere of DIY Network’s popular homeimprovement
series DIY to the Rescue promises to be a grand slam for the American
League Champion Detroit Tigers’ training facility in Lakeland, FL,
Tigertown.  DIY to the Rescue hosts Karl Champley and Amy Devers
stepped up to the plate to take on the challenge, as documented in two
special half-hour episodes.  Premiering on Sunday, April 8, Champley
and Devers, along with help from center fielder Curtis Granderson and
other members of the Tigers organization, score a home run with their
renovations.  Tune in at 9 p.m. ET, to see how the team adds renovated
rooms to their incredible list of achievements.

“I had a great time working with the DIY to the Rescue crew. We were amazed at the changes they were able to make in rooms,” said Granderson. “When I walked into those rooms, I couldn’t believe my eyes, because you would almost swear they demolished the old building and put up a new one. It’s a completely different look – and for the better. One of the best parts about DIY to the Rescue is that they aren’t doing anything that is too difficult for the average homeowner to learn, build or create themselves. They give tips and techniques that everyone can learn from, including myself.”

In the first episode of DIY to the Rescue, Champley and Devers transform the lobby, reception and study areas of Fetzer Hall, one of the on-site dorms at Tigertown, from a dismal waiting area with an “institutional” feel into a cozy environment where the players will want to spend their time.  Wood paneling replaced white walls to give the room warmth. Finishing touches, such as leather and linen upholstered furniture, along with three study desks, lighting, bookshelves and a brand new 36-inch flat screen TV, turned the space into a relaxing retreat for the players to enjoy.

“DIY to the Rescue made changes to the lobby and Rec Center that were so good,” Granderson continued. “The guys living in the dorms may never use them with us roster players hogging all the space.”

In the second special half-hour episode, beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET, Champley and Devers inject color and life into the Detroit Tigers’ Rec Center.  Again, starting with a bare room sparsely furnished with pool tables, DIY’s experts took a cue from the Detroit Tigers’ team colors, painting the walls a beautiful deep blue, and covering the tops of the pool tables in orange. Additional accents include three MLB licensed blue and orange billiard pool lamps with pool cues and team branded balls from Imperial International,  leather recliner chairs featuring the Tigers logo from Dreamseats, a Fooze Ball Table, a dart board, a refurbished ping pong table, brown suede theatre seating pod chairs with Tigers throw blankets and pillows from Biederlack of American, blue area rugs, 12 orange and blue swivel chairs, 12 directors’ chairs, and shelves with a variety of donated MLB licensed memorabilia. Historic photos, plaques, MLB licensed pictures, and two 36-inch flat screen TVs adorn the walls. A five-foot tall Detroit Tigers “D” ties it all together!  For a complete list of participating Major League Baseball licensees, please visit www.DIYnetwork.com.

The Detroit Tiger’s spring training camp, in Lakeland, FL, is better known as “Tigertown” and occupies the site of the former Lakeland School of Aeronautics.  Between 1940 and 1945, more than 8,000 American pilots trained at the site for WWII combat.  The service road between Tigertown’s Cafeteria and Joker Marchant Stadium served as their main runway.

In DIY to the Rescue, hosts Karl Champley, a master builder and certified home inspector, and Amy Devers, a finish carpenter who holds an MFA in furniture design, typically travel to homes across the country and teach homeowners some tricks of the trade and the home improvement skills they need to finish their problem projects. The crew works along with the homeowners, who are very involved in the episodes.  For more information on DIY to the Rescue, visit the DIY Network’s companion Web site at www.DIYnetwork.com.

DIY to the Rescue airs on DIY Network every night at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT.  DIY Network is distributed in Lakeland, Fla., on Adelphia Cable Ch. 119 and Bright House Networks Ch. 166; in Tampa, Fla., on Comcast Ch. 121 and Bright House Networks Ch. 136; in Detroit, Mich., on Comcast Ch. 121 and airs nationwide on DISH Network Ch. 111 and DIRECTV Ch. 230.  For additional markets, check local cable listings or visit www.DIYnetwork.com.